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Patrick Karnezis is the forgotten man from the
2012 season, but his name now returns to the fore after making the
switch to his childhood club, Collingwood.

Previous performance

During the 2013 pre-season he became a lock as a
mid-pricer in every dreamers' forward line after he posted a 45 point
game versus Hawthorn in two 20 minute halves. Over the next 3 full
length NAB matches he then proceeded to average 80.3 points a game,
playing on the half-forward flank and through the midfield.

To the dismay of many, however, he failed to
produce this form in the season proper only managing 3 games in round
1, 2 and 10 before being dropped to the NEAFL for the rest of the
year. In these 3 games he averaged 70 DT when excluding the sub
affected 9 DT in round 2, not exactly poor returns.

Looking at his form in the NEAFL, it is extremely
surprising that Karnezis did not get more of a call up into the
struggling Lions' team. Playing through the forward line and
midfield, he averaged a massive 114 DT from 14 games, with only 3
scores under 100 (40,89 and 49). Adding to this he also managed an
average of 1.7 goals per game showing he can also be a danger up
forward. In round 13, Karnezis topped 190 DT, with 41 possessions, 15
marks, 5 tackles, 2 goals and 4 behinds. But, these numbers should be
taken with a pinch of salt as the NEAFL is not exactly the most
competitive reserves league in Australia.

Although I've heard he has a reputation for
sub-par disposal, Karnezis' efficiency isn't the worst in the land.
In the 2012 season, Karnezis' kicking efficiency was 71.8% and
handball efficiency was 72.2. His overall disposal efficiency of 71.9
was just below the AFL average of 72.3, not horrible but not
particularly impressive either. This shows in his scores, as his DT
and SC averages have always been within a 3 point difference in each
season.

The interesting thing is, Karnezis averaged more
than top priced rookie Jack Martin in the NEAFL with 114 DT compared
to 97.5 DT and is much cheaper as well, $212,800 to $268,000. This
shows Karnezis' enticing value, and his more mature body makes him a
player that must be considered in your forward line.

Karnezis' mid/forward DPP is also very handy considering that this year there are considerably less dual position options to choose from, and it could be a big help in navigating the ever-challenging byes this year.

The Worries

The biggest downside
to Karnezis is his job security. In order to force his way into the
team he will have to battle half-forwards such as Elliot and the
returning Fasolo, as well as midfielders such as Beams, Swan,
Pendlebury, Adams and Blair who are solid midfielders and can all
rest forward and snag a goal. The green vest is also a worrying
possibility for Karnezis, as his size and mobility give him the
versatility to play forward, in the midfield or even in defence if
needed. But the words of Derek Hine have suggested that Collingwood most certainly rate
his ability and want to develop him as a true midfielder definitely
make him much more valuable in fantasy terms, but will he manage to
show this ability in 2014?

Another of the
downsides to Karnezis is that he has yet to properly prove himself at
AFL level. Averages of 47.5, 46.2 and 49.6 DT, as well as 51, 49 and
43 SC between 2011-2013 are below par, and while he performed very
well at NEAFL level, it is not a good indicator as to his performance
at elite level. Fantasy lovers may also still be feeling the pain of
starting with him last year, making them once bitten twice shy when
considering him. But with the Pies ranked number 1 for average DT
points scored per game in 2013 (1631.55) and Lions ranked 16 (1462),
the Pies' different game plan could also mean him seeing more of the
footy.

Important points:

+Great stats in NEAFL

+Mature body

+In a DT friendly team+Mid/Fwd DPP

-Job security

-Yet to prove himself
at the highest level

-Disappointment in
2013 makes him a nervy pick.Hope everyone enjoyed my first post for JAFB, look forward to more as they're pumped out through the preseason!